Miss Castaldi’s
Classroom News
The Week of November 11th, 2016
Email: [email protected]
Website: stjamesschoolah.org/author/ccastladi
Our Learning…
Reminders
Reading- Students had such a fun time learning about character traits. Students
learned how authors use rich description and dialogue in the text to show a
character’s personality traits and physical traits. Students even had the chance of
examining their own character traits to create a “character trait silhouette.” We
also learned how mood is created with the an author's word choice. Students
learned that mood impacts a reader’s emotional response to a story. They were
particularly excited to hear one of my childhood stories and decide what the
mood of the story was.
Math- In math this week, students began their unit on multiplication. They
learned about two strategies that they can utilize when trying to solve a
multiplication problem. The first strategy that they learned was using hands on
models. Students were able to understand how to represent a total amount
within equal groups. The second strategy they learned this week was to use
repeated addition. They were able to see how addition and multiplication are
related and ultimately, it they know how to do addition they actually already
know how to multiply!
Our Learning
ELA- This week in English, students continue to work on the writing process. They
were able to use either their narrative or persuasive graphic organizer to write
their first draft. Students added in more descriptive details as they were writing
their drafts. Next week, we will be focusing on revising and editing! In word study,
students concluded their first prefixes unit. They worked on creating more words
with the given prefixes and also practiced their prefix meanings through games.
We will be back to our normal Word Study routine next week.
Our Learning
Social Studies- In social studies this week, students continued researching their
tribes in their groups. They found interesting information through various texts on
food, clothing, housing, history, music, dance, and religion. The students enjoyed
learning more about their tribe’s culture!
Religion- This week in religion, students learned about ways that we can serve in
God’s Kingdom. They reflected on small acts of kindness that they do every day
and how that affects others. Students also learned about the accomplishments of
St. Benedict and St. Scholastica and how we still feel their influence today.
Upcoming
Monday 11/14
Thursday 11/17
Friday 11/18
Reading Log Due
Session 7 Religion Quiz
Wear RED in honor of Cardinal
Cupich; Word Study Test; Simple
Solutions Quiz; & Special Lunch
Thank you for attending conferences this
week and discussing your child’s growth
this trimester. Thank you so much for your
time and support!
Our class is collecting canned fruit for the
St. Vincent De Paul food drive. Any
contributions are greatly appreciated!
Special Lunch is on Friday. If you did not
order, please pack your child a lunch as
Quest hot lunch will be unavailable.
On Friday, students are encouraged to
wear a RED top with their uniform
bottoms. We will be wearing RED to
celebrate Cardinal Cupich.
We have Reconciliation with Fr. Matt on
Tuesday, November 15th. Please practice
the Act of Contrition
With you child in
preparation of
this day.